The Incompatibility of “God’s Seed” with Sin: An Exegetical Study of 1 John 3:1–10

Abstract

The author of 1 John wrote, “everyone who has been born of God does not practice sin, because His seed abides in him, and he cannot continue sinning, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). This verse, within its context, highlights the incompatibility of “God’s seed” with sin hence giving a rationale for those “born of God” not dwelling in sin. An exegetical study of 1 John 3:1–10 provides a proper understanding of the work of Christ, believer’s identity as children of God, and the incompatibility of “God’s seed” with sin. The author of 1 John points out that believers in Christ are children of God because of the love of the heavenly Father. Their new identity and status in the family of God gives them an eschatological hope that shapes their present lives. The first coming of Jesus Christ and the hope of his second coming guarantees believers glorious bodies and victory over sin and Satan. The author of 1 John further instructs that a person born of God (one who has seen or known him) does not continue sinning because “God’s seed remains in him.” He emphatically states that we can distinguish the children of God from the devil’s children because the model of believers’ righteousness is Christ. In contrast, the model of any sinfulness is the devil.